Android tops iOS in total mobile apps downloaded, still trails in downloads per user

Despite besting iOS in total mobile app downloads for the first time ever, Android's downloads per user are still only half that of Apple's.

In a report released on Monday by ABI Research, Android overtook iOS in overall app downloads during the second quarter of 2011, though iOS users reportedly downloaded more apps per person by a 2:1 ratio.

Analysts at ABI report that the Google OS garnered 44 percent of overall mobile downloads, compared to Apple's 31 percent. Android-based handset shipments increased during Q2 2011, while iPhone shipments flagged as customers waited for the iPhone 4S to be released, giving the Android's installed based a 2.4-to-1 advantage against iOS devices. That gap is expected to grow to 3-to-1 by 2016, according to ABI estimates.

"Being a free platform has expanded the Android device install base, which in turn has driven growth in the number of third party multi-platform and mobile operator app stores," said research associate Lim Shiyang. "These conditions alone explain why Android is the new leader in the mobile application market."

Despite Android's larger user footprint, iOS users download more apps per person, making the Apple OS the main focus for app developers. ABI attributes this to Apple's superior app monetization policies, which attract high quality developers who subsequently create a better catalog of apps.

As the number of app sales continue to balloon with more people moving to smartphones, a report released earlier this year expects Apple to continue leading in profits through 2016, with iOS making $2.86 billion compared to an estimated $1.5 billion for Android.

According to ABI, global app downloads are expected to hit 29 billion by the end of 2011, compared to 9 billion in 2010.

It's about time they finally beat iOS. I'd say congrats but I'm wondering what took them so long and why Android users aren't that keen to downloading apps, or is there some reason to believe that handheld users download apps about the same which would make Android's activation numbers compared to Apple's unit sales a sham comparison?

Despite besting iOS in total mobile app downloads for the first time ever, Android's downloads per user are still only half that of Apple's.

In a report released on Monday by ABI Research, Android overtook iOS in overall app downloads during the second quarter of 2011, though iOS users reportedly downloaded more apps per person by a 2:1 ratio.

Analysts at ABI report that the Google OS garnered 44 percent of overall mobile downloads, compared to Apple's 31 percent. Android-based handset shipments increased during Q2 2011, while iPhone shipments flagged as customers waited for the iPhone 4S to be released, giving the Android's installed based a 2.4-to-1 advantage against iOS devices. That gap is expected to grow to 3-to-1 by 2016, according to ABI estimates.

"Being a free platform has expanded the Android device install base, which in turn has driven growth in the number of third party multi-platform and mobile operator app stores," said research associate Lim Shiyang. "These conditions alone explain why Android is the new leader in the mobile application market."

Despite Android's larger user footprint, iOS users download more apps per person, making the Apple OS the main focus for app developers. ABI attributes this to Apple's superior app monetization policies, which attract high quality developers who subsequently create a better catalog of apps.

As the number of app sales continue to balloon with more people moving to smartphones, a report released earlier this year expects Apple to continue leading in profits through 2016, with iOS making $2.86 billion compared to an estimated $1.5 billion for Android.

According to ABI, global app downloads are expected to hit 29 billion by the end of 2011, compared to 9 billion in 2010.

If my interpretation of this article is correct, then the headline is misleading. Does "iOS" mean iOS on the iPhone or iOS on all idevices? I have a suspicion that the comparison would reveal a very different pattern if Android was compared to iOS on iPhones, iPods, and iPads.

It's about time they finally beat iOS. I'd say congrats but I'm wondering what took them so long and why Android users aren't that keen to downloading apps, or is there some reason to believe that handheld users download apps about the same which would make Android's activation numbers compared to Apple's unit sales a sham comparison?

Android users don't pay for their apps in many cases, instead getting apps from 'other' sources. Android motto: "Why pay, when you can get it for free."

If my interpretation of this article is correct, then the headline is misleading. Does "iOS" mean iOS on the iPhone or iOS on all idevices? I have a suspicion that the comparison would reveal a very different pattern if Android was compared to iOS on iPhones, iPods, and iPads.

As with anything Android related, it is only Android vs iPhone iOS. If they actually took into account all the downloads for every iPod, iPad, and iPhone, it would be a very different story.

It's about time they finally beat iOS. I'd say congrats but I'm wondering what took them so long and why Android users aren't that keen to downloading apps, or is there some reason to believe that handheld users download apps about the same which would make Android's activation numbers compared to Apple's unit sales a sham comparison?

It would be interesting to see how many apps the average user had on his phone as well.

My impression is that while iPhone users download a lot of apps, they delete a lot of apps too, after playing with them for a few minutes.

It would be interesting to see how many apps the average user had on his phone as well.

My impression is that while iPhone users download a lot of apps, they delete a lot of apps too, after playing with them for a few minutes.

I know I certainly do. It's nice to have iTunes keep them for you as a backup. I don't think I've even looked for a new app in months. I've simply content with my current setup.

Mac.World makes a good point about unofficial downloads that aren't counted. Would be interested to see how much that affects the Android ecosystem numbers in both coming closer to iOS and to hurting developers.

I know I certainly do. It's nice to have iTunes keep them for you as a backup. I don't think I've even looked for a new app in months. I've simply content with my current setup.

Mac.World makes a good point about unofficial downloads that aren't counted. Would be interested to see how much that affects the Android ecosystem numbers in both coming closer to iOS and to hurting developers.

Google really has to make apps harder to pirate. When I use to pirate apps it was literally the easiest thing in the world.